CHESTER — The First United Methodist Church in Chester featured its’ Life-Sized” Nativity scene for the “Christmas on the River” weekend December 3-5.
The Nativity set is nearly 70 years old and has graced the front lawn of the Church each Christmas since its’ creation. Jim Beers Photo
Beth Bell, formerly Beth Stumpe of Chester, and her mother, Mary Ann Stumpe, pose for a photo opportunity at the 2021 Christmas on the River Craft Sale. Jim Beers Photo
Bell an artist from Dyersburg, Tennessee, specializes in painting while her mother, Mary Aann Stumpe, is well known for her numerous embroidered items.
Lending emotional support at the event was Stumpe’s husband, “Bud” Stumpe.
Bell is a member of the Artists’ Guild and makes numerous trips to Chester for various events throughout the year.
The event was hosted at the Randolph County Courthouse December 3-5 and featured crafters from throughout the Southern Illinois area.
This view is from the stairway that winds from the ground floor entrance in the back of the Courthouse all the way to the tip-top of the structure four floors above. Vendors had a wide variety of crafts available from top-to-bottom at the Courthouse and business was brisk all three days of the event. Jim Beers Photo
Vicky Beers of Chester (left) poses for a photo alongside her table of hand-made Christmas ornaments at the 2021 Christmas on the River Craft Sale. Jim Beers Photo
Vicky Beers of Chester has been a regular vendor at the event for years and enjoys visiting with patrons at the sale at her 3rd-Floor location at the Randolph County Courthouse.
Stopping by to visit Beers Saturday December 4 was her niece Tricia Link of St. Louis. Tricia is the daughter of the late Nan and Ron “Duck” Link of St. Charles, Missouri.
She now owns the Link home on Swanwick Street in Chester and plans to eventually retire to that home upon her retirement.
The craft fair was an enjoyable part of Tricia’s visit to Chester on the 2021 Christmas on the River weekend.